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April 21, 2017

Please Vaccinate!

I wrote a post about the flu shot and why I think that is important here, but I have avoided vaccinations as it is a heavily debated topic, when I personally believe it should not be, especially with the recent measles outbreak in Minnesota.

It is crazy to think that a disease that was eradicated from the United States in 2000, is now entering the US via travel from other countries due to people choosing not to vaccinate (source). Measles is a deadly disease and can easily be prevented with a vaccine.

"U.S. measles cases are at a 20-year high this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week. As of May 30, the agency had received reports of 334 measles cases in 18 states" (source).

Back in 2015, there were 84 cases in 14 reporting states, so the fact that this number is only increasing is scary!

It is sad that these parents chose not to get their children vaccinated as"nine of the children ultimately infected were old enough to have received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine but had not" (source). There was a total of the 19 children affected, because these 9 didn't get the vaccine not only did they hurt themselves, but the younger children as well who are not old enough to get the vaccine.

This angers me as a parent because my daughter is about to be 4 months old. She is still too young for this vaccine (have to be at least 12 months), meaning she could get the measles if she comes in contact with someone who has it, which is something I shouldn't have to worry about if these parents had done their job as parents and protected their children.

Also, the sad thing is the rumor that vaccines lead to autism are still floating around even though that research has been discredited. Wakefield was even "stripped of his right to practice medicine in Britain," due to his fraud and "many other published studies have shown no connection between the MMR vaccination and autism" (source).

Even the Autism Speaks website clearly states: "Each family has a unique experience with an autism diagnosis, and for some, it corresponds with the timing of their child’s vaccinations. At the same time, scientists have conducted extensive research over the last two decades to determine whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a comprehensive list of this research. You can view and download the list here" (source).

The fear of autism was the reason why many of these parents didn't vaccinate their kids (source). This is a good example of if you hear something, do the research, you can't trust everything you are told!

For the sake of your children's health and for the sake of my child's health, as well as those whose children can not get the vaccination, be it they are not old enough or medical reasons, please vaccinate your children! Measles is just one example of a disease that can be prevented and shouldn't be in the United States, but there are many others, so please keep your child up to date on their vaccinations. There is no reason measles or any other disease should be a problem in our country.

Also if you are traveling to another country that is known to have diseases not common in the United States or if you just aren't sure, make sure you tell your doctor and get the recommended vaccinations before traveling! This will not only protect you but the many people who might be on the same plane, boat, etc with you and anyone you interact with when you arrive home.